Outlook and OE not trying to connect?

[jim]

I've not been able to send/receive mail for about a week now using
either Outlook 2003 or Outlook Express.

One big alert I've noticed is that neither problem actually tries to
access an outgoing connection. Outlook hangs at "connecting to
outgoing mail server", but when I check my firewall, I see that
Outlook isn't at all trying to connect. In addition, I set up my
firewall so that it would ask for permission if Outlook tried to
access an outgoing connection, and I didn't get any requests/alerts (I
have tried to send/receive with AV/Firewall disabled BTW).

Any ideas? I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Office 2003. I
suspect that the add/remove programs uninstall doesn't delete all
associated files, as my settings were automatically imported into
Outlook when I reinstalled. Maybe that's preventing Outlook from
repairing itself?

Oh, BTW, I'm using a Compaq desktop with XP Pro and a Comcast Cable
modem, no router.

 

[Donald L McDaniel]

I've not been able to send/receive mail for about a week now using
either Outlook 2003 or Outlook Express.

One big alert I've noticed is that neither problem actually tries to
access an outgoing connection. Outlook hangs at "connecting to
outgoing mail server", but when I check my firewall, I see that
Outlook isn't at all trying to connect. In addition, I set up my
firewall so that it would ask for permission if Outlook tried to
access an outgoing connection, and I didn't get any requests/alerts (I
have tried to send/receive with AV/Firewall disabled BTW).

Any ideas? I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Office 2003. I
suspect that the add/remove programs uninstall doesn't delete all
associated files, as my settings were automatically imported into
Outlook when I reinstalled. Maybe that's preventing Outlook from
repairing itself?

Oh, BTW, I'm using a Compaq desktop with XP Pro and a Comcast Cable
modem, no router.

There is no need to set Firewall policies to control the way Outlook or
Outlook Express send mail. Any Trojan/mailer will not even use the
Outlook/Outlook Express POP sender. Trojans/mailers almost always have
their own sendmail code. Remove any rules you have set in your firewall
for Outlook or Outlook Express.

Make sure both Outlook and Outlook Express have full permissions of your
firewall. Specifically, make sure port 110 (incoming mail) and port 25
(outgoing mail) are enabled in Outlook. If you just give full
permissions to Outlook Express and Outlook in your firewall, you
shouldnt have to worry about the smtp port(25) being open.

Also, try clicking on "Default" button in the More Settings|Advanced tab
of your email account settings in Outlook.

--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[Guest]

I was just using the firewall to see if Outlook was actually trying to connect

I followed your instructions and didn't see any improvement

----- Donald L McDaniel wrote: ----

3inthekey.com says..

There is no need to set Firewall policies to control the way Outlook or
Outlook Express send mail. Any Trojan/mailer will not even use the
Outlook/Outlook Express POP sender. Trojans/mailers almost always have
their own sendmail code. Remove any rules you have set in your firewall
for Outlook or Outlook Express

Make sure both Outlook and Outlook Express have full permissions of your
firewall. Specifically, make sure port 110 (incoming mail) and port 25
(outgoing mail) are enabled in Outlook. If you just give full
permissions to Outlook Express and Outlook in your firewall, you
shouldnt have to worry about the smtp port(25) being open

Also, try clicking on "Default" button in the More Settings|Advanced tab
of your email account settings in Outlook

--
Donald L McDanie
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed
Remove the obvious to reply by email
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++